Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google, and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, Chrome/OS, Wear OS, and YouTube Music.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at 9to5Google to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability, including how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner detailed the Pixel Watch’s specs in full before launch, including bands and pricing. He also got wind of the Pixel Tablet’s ultimate form factor.
With the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro officially launching tomorrow, Google today detailed some additional places where its custom Tensor SoC is being used to improve and power the camera.
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During the Alphabet Q3 2021 earnings call, Sundar Pichai was asked about augmented reality and the CEO shared some brief thoughts about what Google is working on in the AR area.
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CEO Sundar Pichai kicked off Alphabet’s Q3 2021 earnings by citing the Pixel 6, along with ongoing Search improvements, as examples of his now five-year-old “vision to become an AI-first company.” The company also touched on partnership plans for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
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Back in August, Google rolled out the ability to transfer past WhatsApp messages from iPhones to Samsung Galaxy devices. This ability to transfer your WhatsApp history is now coming to Pixel and all other Android 12 phones.
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Alphabet today announced Q3 2021 earnings with $65.11 billion in revenue. These numbers range from July to September, and reflect the increasing return to normal in some industries.
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Just before the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro event last week, the latest Google app beta introduced Material You weather widgets on Android 12. Google has now updated the widgets with more size configurations and an hourly forecast.
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Android 12 started rolling out last week, and Google today explained and defended the new “Internet” tile in Quick Settings by citing user research studies. That said, it promises an upcoming usability tweak.
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Last month, Google announced a big upgrade for Lens that’s coming next year, and that the visual search tool is coming directly to Chrome. Until then, the Google Lens UI on Android is seeing a tweak that lets you easily reanalyze images with a different filter.
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For most, the YouTube “Home” feed/page is very good at recommending videos that you’d enjoy watching. It can, however, get repetitive and YouTube wants to tackle that with “New to you.”
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In addition to Turntable at the start of this month, YouTube Music on Android 12 is set to get another Material You widget called “Now Playing & Recently played.”
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Back in February, an investor presentation revealed that new Motorola-branded smartwatches were in development for this year. While the original deadlines have slipped, the “Moto Watch 100” looks to be getting an announcement fairly soon.
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“Drive for desktop” is Google’s unified cloud backup application for consumer and business users after years of maintaining two separate clients. Google Drive for desktop has now been updated with full support for Mac laptops and desktops with Apple’s M1 chip.
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Pixel 6 pre-orderers in the US and Canada are entitled to a free pair of Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds. In the rush to order, some Google Store buyers forgot to trigger the offer. Google today told those customers that they will be getting the free headphones and don’t have to do anything but wait.
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In opening pre-orders for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro on Tuesday, Google Fi also announced that its 5G coverage is expanding “over the coming months” in both the US and internationally.
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After previewing bigger changes in September, Google Search is now getting a nifty little notification feature that will help you “learn a new word every day.”
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As the second season of The Mandalorian was all the rage last year, Google did a number of tie-ins with the Star Wars show. Those cross-promotions are now coming to an end, with The Mandalorian wallpapers disappearing on Google Pixel today and the app set to follow.
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Google’s 2021 Smart Home Developer Summit today sees a number of developments around Matter, including Android support via Play services. The announcements start with “Google Home” now serving as the name for the company’s entire smart home platform, developer program, and tools.
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After detailing what’s new for enterprise in Android 12 at the start of this month, the Android Enterprise team is now teasing upcoming capabilities, like expanding Work Profile availability to Google Workspace.
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Back in March, Google Play announced that it was cutting commission fees to 15% on the first $1 million in revenue from paid apps and in-app purchases (IAPs) for all Android developers. Google announced today that next year, the Play Store will only take a 15% cut on all subscriptions from day one.
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In October 2020, a big Smart Display redesign that brought more interactivity, as well as a dark theme, widely rolled out. Google is now introducing an “app” – though it’s more akin to shortcuts – launcher on the Nest Hub Max.
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Following the Nest Hub, the “Memories” carousel will soon be available in Google Photos on the web to let you feel nostalgic “no matter what device you’re on.”
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The latest update to Google Docs makes official the “universal @ menu” that’s part of Workspace’s “Smart canvas” initiative. Meanwhile, there will be a new “Add page break before” option.
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Following a Material You redesign and new homescreen widgets on Android, Google Calendar is getting a new “Focus time” event type.
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Following yesterday’s ordering difficulties, the Google Store has remained in operation for prospective Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro buyers. However, if your desired Pixel 6 model is not available, a waitlist is now available.
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